Inside the Jury Room: Media Lions

Dashni Vilakazi is a dynamic leader in the media and marketing industry, bringing over two decades of experience. As Managing Director of The MediaShop, South Africa’s largest media agency, she has led the business to sustained success, including recognition as a Top Agency for over 10 years and multiple Media Agency of the Year wins at AdFocus, MOST Awards, and MarkLives in 2023 and 2024.

Before joining The MediaShop, Dashni spent 12 years at Absa and Old Mutual as Head and General Manager of Marketing, driving strategic growth for two of South Africa’s leading financial institutions. Her experience spans financial services, fast-moving consumer goods, telecoms, quick-service restaurants, retail, and beverages, with work delivered across Lagos in Nigeria, Hong Kong, London in the UK, New York in the US, and India.

She holds an MBA (cum laude) and is a certified board director through the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA). Passionate about developing talent, she has lectured at AAA and Red & Yellow, presented at conferences and co-hosted a branding talk show with Michael Avery.

Dashni has served as a judge for NewGen Awards, Assegais, multiple Effie Awards, and Cannes Lions and was Media Chair for the White Square International Awards in 2025.